Second half turnaround ‘showed what we’re made of’, says High Ormlie co-manager
High Ormlie Hotspur co-manager Liam Sutherland lauded the character of his players after they came back from a two-goal deficit to book their place in the Highland Amateur Cup second round.
Keiss flew into an early lead at a sunny Naver Park with two goals in the first five minutes, leaving the High Ormlie men in shock.
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But Sutherland’s charges heaped on the pressure in the second half to draw level before James Mackintosh netted the winning goal in the final minutes of the game.
The co-boss said the shock of falling two goals down to their opponents took some time to get over.
He said: “Saturday was a very close one. In the first half, we really didn’t play the kind of football that we know we can play at all. We were a bit all over the place to begin with and the fact we went 2-0 down so earlier, it kind of shocked the boys more than anything.
“We finished the first half better but still weren’t doing what we are capable of, and we were quite glad to get in at half time. We came back out with a much better attitude and got a goal in the first minute of the second half.
“We kept putting the pressure on and must have hit the bar about four times, and the post a couple of times. Thankfully we managed to see it out in the end and get there.
“It showed what the boys are made of to come back from 2-0 down and make sure we got through. Not every game you play is going to be smooth sailing. It doesn’t matter who you are playing.”
Bradley Thomson opened the scoring for Keiss after steering a header beyond the reach of High Ormlie goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher.
Olly Manton doubled their advantage after being played through on goal, coolly slotting the ball under Gallacher.
Re-emerging for the second half, High Ormlie wasted no time in pulling a goal back, netting thanks to a Mackintosh header from close range.
With less than twenty minutes remaining, the home side grabbed an equaliser when Mark Webster found the net with a free kick from 25 yards.
In the game’s final moments, Mackintosh was first to react after Keiss had failed to clear a loose ball, heading past the goalkeeper to make it 3-2.
High Ormlie’s first round success has secured them a second round trip to Orkney to play two-time winners, Kirkwall Thorfinn.
Co-manager Sutherland added: “We’re looking forward to Kirkwall next. There’s no easy games when you go to Orkney, it’s always difficult. It’s a challenge we’ll be looking forward to. The boys will be excited for a trip across the water, it’s always a good day out.”
